Is an Orthodontist Different from a Dentist?

Orthodontics is a specialty field in dentistry. An orthodontist must complete an additional three years of education after becoming a dentist. They gain clinical experience because they are required to complete a residency program. The responsibilities of an orthodontist include the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The exact services provided are dependent on the individual orthodontist.

A general dentist often refers patients to an orthodontist due to their advanced education, training, expertise, and skill regarding specific dental issues. Orthodontists are regulated by the American Association of Orthodontists to ensure the practitioner is well educated in both bio mechanics and oral biology. To help prevent irregularities in the teeth and jaws, children should consult with an orthodontist when they are seven years old.

https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dentist-2530983_960_720.jpg637960DrMcDAdminhttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngDrMcDAdmin2018-08-07 17:11:502018-08-01 07:55:59What is an Orthodontist?

Pain in the jaw can occur for any number of reasons, some of which can be readily explained away and will dissipate in a couple of days. However, some jaw pains don’t dissipate and can actually worsen over time, causing you to desperately look for any solution that will get rid of the pain. Thankfully, this abnormal pain is typically easy to diagnose. Once diagnosed, there are several treatments available for you to choose from.

Are Braces for Adults Worth the Trouble?

When most people think of orthodontic work, they picture a teenager with a full set of metal braces smiling in their school picture. This classic image is often what deters adults from going for orthodontic work themselves.

In many cases, your parents might not have had the funds to get braces for you or you might have had extensive orthodontic work done only to stop maintaining the results and now feel like you can benefit from going back for braces. You might be wondering, “Are braces still worth it as an adult?” and the simple answer is, yes.

Do Orthodontic Braces Hurt?

More adults are choosing to get braces than ever before. This may be due to the cost, which has become more affordable for some people, or their health insurance will cover at least part of the cost. Also, orthodontic work has become more widespread and publicly acceptable, especially with the introduction of special products like Invisalign that make braces appear nearly invisible to the casual observer.

Orthodontic research has led to important advances that make this type of treatment safer and more comfortable than previously. Skilled orthodontists treat thousands of patients each year in ages ranging from adolescence to the senior years. One question comes up frequently when orthodontic treatment is discussed: Are braces painful?

An underbite is a type of fouled alignment that can be strictly dental or a more serious problem that involves the jaw. One of the most frequently asked questions by people who have underbites is, “Is it possible to fix my severe underbite without going through surgery?” Such prospects and patients also make comments such as, “I m afraid of surgery. Are there any other ways to fix my severe underbite?” The following text provides some answers to those questions and some additional information about underbite treatment.

https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/baby-2117535_960_720.jpg683960DrMcDAdminhttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngDrMcDAdmin2018-06-29 17:30:182018-07-08 10:02:18I have a severe underbite and don't want surgery. What should I do?

Overcome Your Fear of Having Braces

Children and adults alike tend to have a fear of having braces, due to everything from how they appear to the pain they could cause. This fear is completely natural and is nothing to be ashamed of. However, if you need to have your teeth straightened, it’s important to know that there are ways for you to overcome your fear of having these orthodontic appliances placed on your teeth. The end result is a beautiful smile with straight teeth. Many people who delay getting braces due to their fear only become more afraid of doing so as time passes. If fear is the only reason that you are not going through with having your teeth straightened, it’s possible to overcome this feeling.

FAQ

How Can I Overcome Fear of Pain and Embarrassment With Braces?

There are many different types of fears a person could have when getting their teeth straightened. The two most common of these is a fear of pain and a fear of embarrassment. If you’re avoiding visiting an orthodontist because you think that your child will be in pain once the brackets have been glued on, you really shouldn’t worry. All types of orthodontic appliances will carry a small amount of pain with them, but the process is relatively painless. Since the brackets or the aligners with Invisalign make gradual movements to your teeth, the most pain you’ll experience during the process is a very dull pain that occurs for a short period of time after each adjustment. In almost all instances, some numbing ointment will ease any pain that occurs.

As for embarrassment, it’s important that you let your child know that they will have a great smile for the remainder of their lives if they simply wear the appliance for a couple of years. You should also tell them that there are plenty of children, many of which are in school with them, that wear braces during their younger years. It’s even possible for children to request Invisalign, which is comprised of invisible aligners that are practically impossible to see. If you’re an adult who wants to finally have their teeth straightened, Invisalign is also a great option for you, as are several other possible treatments that aren’t as visible as metal brackets. Even with metal brackets, the length of treatment is so short compared to having a healthy smile for the rest of your life.

How Can I Overcome Fear of Previous Bad Experiences With Braces?

One of the most crippling fears to overcome, especially for children, is a previous bad experience with an orthodontist. A bad experience can cause an actual trauma to develop when the child is in their formative years. The key to helping your child overcome this fear is by explaining to them that the experience they previously had won’t happen again. The orthodontists at McDermott Orthodontics have years of experience that has helped them understand how to keep each patient as safe as possible during treatment. However, it’s important that you don’t trivialize their fears and make it seem as though you’re ignoring them. If you do this, the fears that your child has could worsen.

How Can I Overcome Fear of a Lengthy Treatment Time with Braces?

What some children fear the most is that the treatment will last for a very long period of time. To a young child, even a year can seem like a decade. While there’s no way to make this time shorter, just tell your child that a year or two of wearing the appliance is exceedingly short when compared to a lifetime of a perfect smile. While this may not be enough to assuage your child’s fears entirely, it should help them to better understand the benefits of orthodontic appliances.

How Can I Overcome Fear of Not Knowing What Will Happen with Braces?

Fear of the unknown is very strong with children and adults alike. When a child has never experienced going to an orthodontic practice and having brackets or aligners molded to their teeth, it’s understandable why they would be afraid. The best way to help your child overcome this fear is by telling the orthodontist that your child is afraid of what the procedure entails. They will then explain to your child why these fears are unnecessary and should take them through every facet of the procedure. Once a child understands what treatment will be like, it’s very likely that their fears will dissipate.

How Can I Overcome Fear of Choking with Braces?

You or your child may have once heard stories of an orthodontic procedure going wrong where one of the tools fell down the throat of the patient and caused them to choke. It’s important to understand that such occurrences are extremely rare. The procedure is a very safe one and is performed by someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. No matter which fears you or your child is suffering from at the moment, it’s more than possible to overcome these fears. Once you’ve identified your fear, half the battle is over and you can now focus on getting rid of that fear once and for all so that you can have your teeth straightened as they should be.

Call McDermott Orthodontics to Schedule Your First Appointment

You can live a happier life by having your teeth straighten to correct your bad bite. Dr. Michael McDermott offers professional orthodontic evaluations at four locations in Minnesota that are located in these cities:

Perhaps you’re missing teeth for one reason or another. It may have even come from a root canal. You might be asking yourself, “How can I close the gaps if I have two missing teeth?” You actually have a few possibilities available to you, but you should understand the risks and the benefits before you take on any of them. This will help you to decide which one is the right choice for you.

https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/girl-2252145_960_720.jpg640960Mike Mc. Dermotthttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngMike Mc. Dermott2018-06-11 17:00:362018-07-05 06:42:06Is It Possible to Close the Gaps Where I Lost Two Teeth?

Having teeth that are straight will not only allow you to have a perfect smile but can also help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Even if you think that your teeth are straight when you look at them in the mirror, there’s still a possibility that there are small bite issues present in your mouth. Crooked or misaligned teeth could eventually cause such issues as the chipping and cracking of one or more of your teeth, both of which are issues that could become detrimental to your health if left untreated. If you’re wondering such questions as “what should a perfect teeth look like?” or “how should I know if I have the proper bite alignment?”, the following should answer all of these questions and more.

How to Take Care of Your Retainers

Getting your braces off is an exciting time. While braces are the most efficient way to get the smile of your dreams, there are a lot of rules surrounding what you can and can’t do with your braces. The upkeep may be annoying, but the end result is well worth it. But if you’re given retainers after you get your brackets and wires off, you’re not quite out of the clear yet. There are a few care tips you need to know to maintain your new smile.

Top Retainer Care Tips from Your Orthodontist

Always listen to your orthodontist for tips relevant to your particular smile. However, here are some of the top tips you need to know to properly maintain your retainer.

Always Remove Your Retainer Before Eating

Remember when you had to be careful not to let food get trapped in your brackets and wires? The same idea applies to your new retainer. When food gets trapped in your retainer, it allows bacteria to grow. Because your retainer can cover more of your mouth, it is easy for food to get trapped. This trapped food can cause plaque to develop, hurting your oral health. Always take your retainer out before you eat. Put it away in its case or set it on top of a clean tissue or napkin. But be careful not to throw your retainer out with the rest of your trash!

Brush with Your Retainer Out

While you may think you can kill two birds with one stone by brushing your teeth and retainer in one go, your retainer actually covers too much of your mouth for this to be efficient. Your retainer may also be holding onto bacteria or food that you won’t be able to reach while it is still in. In the mornings, brush and floss before you put your retainer in. At night, take your retainer out before you brush and floss again. If you’re looking to save time, pop your retainer in a cup of water and baking soda to soak while brushing and flossing.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals or Boiling Your Retainer

Properly cleaning your retainer is crucial for keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy. For the most part, using just toothpaste and water should be enough to clean your remove bacteria and leftover food. If you’re looking too deep clean your retainer, allow it to soak in a mixture of water and baking soda or vinegar. You could also potentially use a denture tablet. These are also great options for cleaning Invisalign retainers. However, you should never try to clean your retainer by using alcohol-based products or boiling it in hot water. Both can be damaging to the retainer’s plastic and may even cause it to change shape.

Clean Your Retainer Before You Store It

If you only need to wear your retainer for certain times of the day, you’ll want to ensure it is properly stored when you’re not wearing it. You should be given a special case for your retainer to set it in when it isn’t being used. Storing your retainer without properly cleaning it means it could grow bacteria and mold. If you put a bacteria or mold covered retainer in your mouth, you risk infection or getting sick. Always brush your retainer before you put it in your case. Let it soak in a cup of water and baking soda every so often to ensure you’re getting all the bacteria you may have missed.

Don’t Wear Your Retainer While Playing Sports

Retainers are expensive and annoying to replace if they’re lost or damaged. While you can’t avoid any action that may cause damage to your retainer, you should avoid wearing it in certain circumstances. If you play a sport where you may get hit in the mouth, you don’t want to risk damage to your retainer. Whether you have a traditional retainer or an Invisalign retainer, take it out while at practice or a game. Even sports you may not think of – like swimming – could be dangerous for your retainer. You don’t want to stop swim practice because your retainer is lost somewhere in the pool!

If you play contact sports, such as basketball, football or hockey, be sure to talk to your orthodontist about getting a special mouth guard. A properly-made mouth guard can replace your retainer during practices or games and protect your new smile from damage.

By undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is possible to have an attractive smile with beautiful white teeth. More importantly, you will have straighter teeth that will ensure that you can consume a healthy diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits. Dr. Michael McDermott offers several types of orthodontic devices at his facilities, including:

You’ve made it through your course of orthodontic treatment with braces. Whether it’s been two years or more, it is such a liberating feeling when those metal brackets and wires finally are removed. You can truly enjoy your beautiful smile with teeth that are properly aligned now that there is nothing to block the view of your pearly whites. You might think that your journey is over, but there is more to come before you can say that your orthodontic work is complete. Your orthodontist will be your guide, pointing you in the right direction as you think about what to do next.